Post navigation

Comparing conservative government and social government responses to COVID19 Part 2

In my previous post I examined the responses of several conservative governments around the world to the COVID19 emergency. I sought out the potential deaths and the actual deaths to give you an idea of what different countries were facing under their conservative governments. In this article I examine the responses of notable socialist governments around the world to COVID19, using the same format.

The most notable socialist government in the world – actually a Stalinist state known as the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea) – is also the least responsive and by far the most deceiving. Governed by the cultish figure of Kim Jong Un, North Korea can apparently do no wrong. Mr Kim has brazenly told the world COVID19 does not exist in North Korea, which is, despite the severe travel restrictions almost certainly untrue given China is on one side and South Korea the other. Most probably a large unknown number are infected, and many more will eventually become so as the North Korean regime and military get top priority for just about all goods and services in the country.

POTENTIAL DEATHS: HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS; ACTUAL DEATHS: UNKNOWN.

South Korea elected a more progressive Government under Moon Jae In, which has overseen one of the best responses to the COVID19 emergency so far. South Korea saw the COVID19 outbreak coming based on their experience with the SARS outbreak in 2009. Harsh lessons were taught in 2009 that South Korea was made to learn. Testing as many people as possible is everything. Decisive leadership with clear communications about the expectations on the people and the full on practicing of social distancing, have all contributed to the improving situation we see there today.

POTENTIAL DEATHS: THOUSANDS; ACTUAL DEATHS: 120

In Canada in the week of 12 March, the wife of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Sophie Gregoire tested positive in mid March. The following week Canada rapidly ramped up its efforts against COVID19, blocking non-Canadians from entering, advising against international travel and blocking non-essential travel across the border with the U.S. in both directions. In the same week, the hospitality and primary education sectors. Gatherings of more than fifty have been banned. States of Emergency were also declared in the same week in every province.

POTENTIAL DEATHS: THOUSANDS; ACTUAL DEATHS: 27

Whilst the COVID19 pandemic has taken longer to reach South America than many other places, it has developed 387 cases in Argentina. Thus far 4 people have died across the country from it. Most cases seem to be concentrated around Buenos Aires. A mandatory lock down was put in place from 20 March to 31 March. Argentina’s relatively well resourced health care system and

POTENTIAL ARGENTINIAN DEATHS: TENS OF THOUSANDS; ACTUAL DEATHS: 4

The spread of COVID19 has not been as fast in Africa, where it is only just starting to take hold in countries now. Much of this might be due to Africa lacking the airline connections that are found throughout Europe, Asia, North America. However no African nations have the medical resources available in western countries to combat COVID19 and poor testing regimes mean it is not clear whether it is spreading undetected or being hampered by the climate. Nor do many African nations have comprehensive plans isolating their patients. The largest number of cases reported are in South Africa, which is going into lock down.

The uncertainty about how African and Latin American nations are going to respond to COVID19, the lack of transparency of other nations does not give either conservative or socialist governments a clear advantage. I left out Singapore, which has been very successful in testing because it is a one party state. I considered Middle Eastern nations but decided I did not understand enough about their respective politics to judge. The potential deaths are based on their population sizes and the quality of their health services.